A fuel property determining device for an engine is provided, the device retarding a fuel injection timing and determining a fuel property based on a combustion variation of the engine caused by the retarding. The device includes a processor configured to control a parameter related to combustibility so as to degrade a combustion state before the fuel injection timing is retarded, the parameter being different from the fuel injection timing.
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1. A fuel injection control device for an engine, the device comprising: an injector configured to inject fuel into a cylinder of the engine; a throttle valve; and a processor configured to, before retarding a fuel injection timing, control the throttle valve to narrow an opening of the throttle valve to reduce an intake air pressure to a given intake air pressure range and thereby degrade a combustion state, then control the injector to retard the fuel injection timing when the intake air pressure is within the given intake air pressure range, and determine a fuel property based on a combustion variation of the engine caused by the retarding of the fuel injection timing, wherein the fuel property is determined while the engine is idling.
This invention relates to a fuel injection control system for engines, specifically addressing the challenge of accurately determining fuel properties during engine operation. The system includes a fuel injector for delivering fuel into an engine cylinder, a throttle valve to regulate airflow, and a processor that controls these components. Before adjusting fuel injection timing, the processor narrows the throttle valve to reduce intake air pressure to a predefined range, intentionally degrading combustion conditions. Once the intake air pressure stabilizes within this range, the processor retards the fuel injection timing. The resulting combustion variation, caused by this timing change, is analyzed to determine the fuel's properties, such as octane rating or other characteristics affecting combustion stability. This process occurs while the engine is idling, ensuring consistent and controlled conditions for accurate fuel property assessment. The system enables real-time fuel quality monitoring without requiring external sensors or additional hardware, improving engine performance and emissions control.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the combustion state is degraded by increasing an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount before retarding the fuel injection timing.
A device for controlling combustion in an internal combustion engine addresses the problem of reducing engine knock and improving combustion stability under high-load conditions. The device monitors combustion state parameters such as cylinder pressure, knock intensity, or exhaust gas temperature to detect degradation in combustion performance. When degradation is detected, the device first increases the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount to dilute the intake charge and reduce peak combustion temperatures. This step helps mitigate knock and improve combustion stability before making more aggressive adjustments. If further correction is needed, the device then retards the fuel injection timing to delay combustion and reduce knock propensity. The device may also adjust other parameters, such as air-fuel ratio or spark timing, to optimize combustion efficiency and emissions. The system ensures smooth engine operation by prioritizing EGR adjustment before altering injection timing, minimizing fuel efficiency losses while maintaining performance. This approach is particularly useful in turbocharged engines where knock and thermal stress are significant concerns.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein an external load on the engine is reduced before retarding the fuel injection timing and before the throttle valve is controlled to narrow the opening of the throttle valve to reduce the intake air pressure to the given intake air pressure range and thereby degrade the combustion state.
This invention relates to engine control systems designed to reduce emissions during engine operation, particularly when degrading combustion conditions to meet regulatory requirements. The system addresses the challenge of minimizing harmful emissions while maintaining engine performance and stability. The device includes an engine with a fuel injection system, a throttle valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to adjust the fuel injection timing and throttle valve position to control combustion parameters. Before retarding the fuel injection timing and narrowing the throttle valve to reduce intake air pressure within a specified range to degrade combustion, the system first reduces the external load on the engine. This preemptive load reduction helps mitigate adverse effects on engine performance and emissions during combustion degradation. The system ensures that the engine operates within desired parameters while complying with emission standards, particularly during conditions where combustion quality is intentionally compromised. The invention improves emission control strategies by coordinating load reduction with combustion adjustments, enhancing overall system efficiency and reliability.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the combustion state is degraded after the combustion state becomes stable.
A combustion monitoring system detects and analyzes the combustion state of a fuel-burning apparatus, such as an engine or furnace, to ensure efficient and safe operation. The system includes sensors that measure combustion parameters like temperature, pressure, and emissions. These sensors generate signals that are processed by a control unit to determine the combustion state, which may include stable, unstable, or degraded conditions. The control unit compares the measured parameters against predefined thresholds to assess combustion performance. If the combustion state becomes stable, the system then monitors for degradation, which may indicate inefficiency, incomplete combustion, or potential failure. Degradation is detected by identifying deviations from the stable state, such as fluctuations in temperature or emissions levels. The system may trigger alerts or adjustments to maintain optimal combustion. This approach ensures early detection of issues, reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. The system is applicable to various combustion-based devices, including industrial burners, power generators, and heating systems.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the combustion variation is a variation in an engine speed when the fuel injection timing is retarded.
This invention relates to internal combustion engines, specifically addressing the challenge of detecting and compensating for combustion variations that affect engine performance. The device monitors engine speed fluctuations caused by retarded fuel injection timing, which can lead to inefficient combustion and increased emissions. By analyzing these speed variations, the system identifies inconsistencies in the combustion process, allowing for real-time adjustments to optimize fuel delivery and timing. The core device includes sensors to measure engine speed and a control unit that processes this data to detect anomalies. When a variation in engine speed is detected due to retarded injection timing, the control unit adjusts the fuel injection parameters to restore optimal combustion. This ensures smoother operation, reduced fuel consumption, and lower emissions. The system may also integrate with other engine control modules to provide comprehensive performance monitoring and adaptive control. The invention is particularly useful in modern engines where precise combustion control is critical for efficiency and environmental compliance. By dynamically responding to combustion variations, the device enhances engine reliability and performance under varying operating conditions.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein a cetane number is determined as the fuel property.
A fuel analysis system determines the cetane number of a fuel sample to assess its ignition quality. The system includes a fuel sample holder, a sensor array, and a processing unit. The fuel sample is placed in the holder, and the sensor array measures physical and chemical properties such as density, viscosity, and molecular composition. The processing unit analyzes these measurements to calculate the cetane number, which indicates how readily the fuel ignites under compression. This system provides a rapid, non-destructive method for evaluating fuel quality, addressing the need for efficient and accurate testing in refineries, fuel distribution, and engine performance optimization. The cetane number is a critical parameter for diesel and biodiesel fuels, influencing engine efficiency and emissions. The system may also incorporate additional sensors to measure other fuel properties, such as sulfur content or flash point, to provide a comprehensive fuel analysis. The processing unit may use machine learning algorithms or empirical models to correlate sensor data with cetane number, ensuring high accuracy and adaptability to different fuel types. This technology supports real-time monitoring and quality control in fuel production and distribution chains.
7. A combustion control device for an engine, the device comprising: an injector configured to inject fuel into a cylinder of the engine; a throttle valve; and a processor configured to, before retarding a fuel injection timing, control the throttle valve to narrow an opening of the throttle valve to reduce an intake air pressure to a given intake air pressure range and thereby degrade a combustion state, then control the injector to retard the fuel injection timing when the intake air pressure is within the given intake air pressure range, and determine a combustion control amount of the engine in a normal operating state based on a combustion variation of the engine caused by the retarding of the fuel injection timing, wherein the combustion control amount of the engine is the fuel injection timing.
This invention relates to combustion control in internal combustion engines, specifically addressing the challenge of accurately determining optimal fuel injection timing to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions. The device includes an injector for delivering fuel into an engine cylinder, a throttle valve to regulate airflow, and a processor that controls these components to adjust combustion conditions. The processor first narrows the throttle valve to reduce intake air pressure to a predefined range, intentionally degrading the combustion state. Once the intake air pressure is within the desired range, the processor retards the fuel injection timing. By analyzing the resulting combustion variation, the processor determines the optimal fuel injection timing for normal engine operation. This method ensures precise combustion control by leveraging controlled degradation of combustion conditions to identify the most effective fuel injection timing, enhancing engine performance and emissions control. The system dynamically adjusts fuel injection timing based on real-time combustion feedback, improving efficiency and reducing harmful exhaust outputs.
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July 25, 2017
December 24, 2019
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